Sierra County Demographics

A map of Sierra County's Population by Race

Sierra County, New Mexico has an estimated population of 11,500, a less than 1% change from the 11,576 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 63.1% White, 29.8% Hispanic, 6.6% Multiracial, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% Native American/Other, and 0.1% Black. This demographic dot map shows the population of Sierra County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Sierra has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than New Mexico overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Sierra County, that probability was 49.6% in 2020 and 50.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Sierra County is ranked the 25th most populous county in New Mexico, out of 33 counties. Sierra County was ranked the 25th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Sierra County's White Population

7,252 residents of Sierra County, or 63.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Sierra County is significantly higher than in New Mexico overall, where 36% of the population is White. Sierra County ranks 3rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 33 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sierra County's White population has declined by an estimated 3.4%. White residents' share of Sierra County's population has decreased from 64.8% to 63.1%.

Sierra County is more White than neighboring Doña Ana County (26.7% White), Socorro County (32.8% White), Luna County (28.3% White), and Grant County (47.5% White). Sierra County is less White than neighboring Catron County (74.4% White).

Sierra County's Black Population

17 residents of Sierra County, or 0.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Sierra County is comparable to the share in New Mexico overall, where 1.8% of the population is Black. Sierra County ranks 23rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 33 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sierra County's Black population has declined by an estimated 75.7%. Black residents' share of Sierra County's population has decreased from 0.6% to 0.1%.

Sierra County is less Black than neighboring Doña Ana County (1.4% Black), Socorro County (0.4% Black), Luna County (1.1% Black), Grant County (0.8% Black), and Catron County (1.8% Black).

Sierra County's Asian Population

18 residents of Sierra County, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Sierra County is comparable to the share in New Mexico overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Sierra County ranks 11th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 33 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sierra County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 84.9%. Asian residents' share of Sierra County's population has decreased from 1.0% to 0.2%.

Sierra County is less Asian than neighboring Doña Ana County (1.1% Asian), Socorro County (1.8% Asian), Luna County (1.1% Asian), Grant County (0.9% Asian), and Catron County (0.3% Asian).

Sierra County's Hispanic Population

3,431 residents of Sierra County, or 29.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Sierra County is significantly lower than in New Mexico overall, where 48.4% of the population is Hispanic. Sierra County ranks 29th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 33 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sierra County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 3.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Sierra County's population has increased from 28.6% to 29.8%.

Sierra County is more Hispanic than neighboring Catron County (15.7% Hispanic). Sierra County is less Hispanic than neighboring Doña Ana County (67.9% Hispanic), Socorro County (50.3% Hispanic), Luna County (67.1% Hispanic), and Grant County (47.8% Hispanic).

Sierra County's Native American/Other Population

19 residents of Sierra County, or 0.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Sierra County is lower than in New Mexico overall, where 9% of the population is Native American/Other. Sierra County ranks 23rd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 33 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sierra County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 86.4%. Native American/Other residents' share of Sierra County's population has decreased from 1.2% to 0.2%.

Sierra County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Doña Ana County (0.9% Native American/Other), Socorro County (10.7% Native American/Other), Luna County (1% Native American/Other), Grant County (0.7% Native American/Other), and Catron County (3.8% Native American/Other).

Sierra County's Multiracial Population

763 residents of Sierra County, or 6.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Sierra County is slightly higher than in New Mexico overall, where 3.1% of the population is Multiracial. Sierra County ranks 4th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 33 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Sierra County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 77.9%. Multiracial residents' share of Sierra County's population has increased from 3.7% to 6.6%.

Sierra County is more Multiracial than neighboring Doña Ana County (2% Multiracial), Socorro County (3.9% Multiracial), Luna County (1.3% Multiracial), Grant County (2.3% Multiracial), and Catron County (4% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.